May 9, 2011

In an unusual action, the Libertarian Party of Minnesota held a special meeting on May 7 to consider a response to the anti-liberty legislation now being proposed by Republican legislators in the Minnesota House and Senate.

By an 11-0 vote, the LPMN Executive Committee unanimously passed a resolution opposing a constitutional amendment that would prohibit gays from becoming married.

The proposed Gay Marriage Ban would expand government control and restrict the freedom of consenting adults to live their own lives as they choose. Libertarians believe that marriage is a private matter between individuals. We believe that marriage is a fundamental human right, and that all personal relationships, including marriage, should be at the sole discretion and agreement of the individuals involved, as well as any family, friends, or religious institutions they may choose to involve. Government has no business restricting or interfering with marriage. This ban would create a caste system by dividing society into two classes: those who are permitted to marry, and those who are not. We also oppose any attempt to place a marriage ban before voters, as the trappings of democracy do not legitimize infringements upon personal liberty; a 51% majority does not have the right to force its will upon the other 49%. We instead support a free society, where 1% can still be free to live their own lives as they choose, even if 99% might disapprove. Furthermore, we call upon legislators to expand liberty by repealing the existing statutory gay marriage ban.

Also, by an 11-0 vote, the LPMN Executive Committee unanimously passed a resolution opposing a constitutional amendment that would mandate Voter ID, requiring voters to show government-issued identification in order to vote.

The proposed Voter ID Mandate would also expand government control. Voter registration by mail and same-day voucher are used legitimately by an overwhelming majority of people. Occasional fraud has occurred, but sufficient processes are already in place to address it, including mailing of registration cards to verify residency and interlinking of voter databases to detect fraud. It is up to the state to use their existing systems properly; enacting Voter ID is not the answer. We believe Voter ID would tend to disenfranchise senior citizens, students, and others who do not have drivers licenses. We note the irony that, while voters don’t have to prove themselves when they’re forced to pay taxes, they would be required to do so in order to have a say in how their own money is spent. Most importantly, Libertarians oppose and resent ever-increasing mandates by the government upon the people to show identification for daily activities, now including driving, alcohol purchase, access to establishments serving alcohol, airline travel, crossing international borders, fishing, hunting, marriage, tobacco purchase, firearm purchase, medicine purchase, gaining employment, and numerous other areas. Voter ID would be yet another step in conditioning the people to answer to the government, rather than the other way around. We support the fundamental human right to move freely about the country and conduct ourselves peacefully in our daily affairs, without constantly having to prove who we are or why we are doing something. We call upon legislators to find ways to eliminate ID mandates, not add more.

Concerned about the relentless expansion of government control and the erosion of individual liberty? Consider joining and becoming active in the Libertarian Party of Minnesota. Libertarians stand in support of liberty on all issues, all the time. Libertarianism is a philosophical and political movement promoting individual freedom, voluntary interaction, genuine free markets, and peace.

Updated on 05/11/2011: Minor typographical error corrected in 3rd paragraph.

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